Don't rush the topic selection process! Take time to brainstorm and to do some preliminary reading.


  • Is there something you already know you might be interested to find more about? Do some preliminary reading to see if it would make a good topic, and if so, what aspects of the topic you might want to focus on.
  • If you have no idea, don't worry about it! You will find something in your browsing.
  • Ask a librarian or teacher about good general resources you can use to browse topics.
  • If you aren't interested in your topic, select another one. (Or find an aspect that does interest you.)
  • Don't take real notes yet. The only things you should be writing down are topic ideas.

Once you have selected a preliminary topic, then you can start developing it.



Tips